Makarska reviving old town with business incentives

Makarska

For the third consecutive year, the City of Makarska is awarding financial support to micro and small businesses in the old town as part of the “Lokale u kale” programme.

Despite the fact that Kalalarga remains mostly deserted in winter, with only a few businesses open, the initiative aims to boost economic activity in the area.

Incentives for Business Growth

To qualify for support, businesses must operate for at least six months per year, leading most to function from April to October.

Grants range from €2,000 to €10,000 and are available to entrepreneurs operating in either city-owned or private premises within the designated old town area. Applicants must also be registered in Makarska or the Makarska Riviera, Slobodna Dalmacija writes.

Thanks to this initiative, ten new businesses opened in 2023, and last year, eleven businesses benefited, including five newly launched ventures.

This year, the geographical scope of the support zone has expanded while still adhering to regulations set by the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Heritage Protection Department.

Support is available across nine categories, including: independent artists, traditional crafts such as shoemakers and locksmiths, textile cleaning services, tailoring and fashion accessory production, processing and selling meat products, handcrafted goods, hospitality businesses (bars, restaurants, and food service establishments) and startups in the listed sectors.

Recognising the importance of preserving traditional trades, the city has increased grants for tailoring businesses from €2,000 to €3,000.

Makarska

Grants for shoemakers, locksmiths, and textile cleaning services remain at €5,000, after being raised last year. Makarska’s last remaining shoemaker survived 2023, and this year, the city continues to support butchers and meat processing businesses with €2,000 grants.

For 2024, Makarska allocated €160,000 for this programme, of which €120,000 (75%) has already been granted, and €108,187.18 (90%) has been disbursed. The funds support 15 returning businesses from 2023 and 11 new recipients, including five brand-new establishments in the old town.

Makarska

Looking ahead, the city has set aside €180,000 for 2025, a 13% increase from last year. The programme now also covers additional costs such as waste disposal and business space maintenance fees, ensuring a more comprehensive support system for local businesses.